Egypt has reportedly sent arms to the Horn of Africa, raising concerns about regional security and the potential impact on ongoing conflicts, according to Reuters.
According to three diplomatic and Somali government sources cited by Reuters on Thursday, Egypt has provided military assistance to Somalia for the first time in more than forty years. The aid comes as a response to a recent maritime conflict between Mogadishu and Ethiopia.
On Tuesday morning, two Egyptian military planes carrying weapons and ammunition landed at Mogadishu’s airport in Somalia. The officials who shared this information preferred to remain anonymous.
In January, Mogadishu and Cairo entered into a defense agreement aimed at fortifying the military capabilities of Somalia in response to a warning by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi that his administration would take strong action against anyone who poses security threats or encroaches upon Somali sovereignty.
The Somali government previously requested international assistance against Ethiopia’s agreement with breakaway Somaliland to lease 20km of coastal land. In response, security cooperation was provided. This January 1st deal would permit the state without access to the sea a chance at building a marine force base and gaining entry into the Red Sea in return for recognition of Somaliland as an independent entity.
Despite Somaliland having declared de facto independence in 1991, Mogadishu considers the region to be part of its territory. However, it refused to accept the port access agreement and instead denounced it as a violation of its sovereignty and an act of aggression.
As Cairo expressed its solidarity with Somalia, it also leveled accusations at Addis Ababa for causing instability in the region due to their ongoing disagreement over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile.
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The accusations against Ethiopia have been steadfastly denied. National security adviser to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Redwan Hussien, criticized the criticisms as “jingoistic” and aimed at stirring up division and disorder.
Mogadishu issued a warning in June, stating that if Ethiopia did not cancel its agreement with the breakaway region, it would remove numerous Ethiopian soldiers who were fighting against al-Shabaab in Somalia before the implementation of an upcoming African Union-led operation. Prior to this threat, Mogadishu had already expelled Ethiopia’s ambassador and recently stated that it may prohibit Ethiopian Airlines from operating within Somali territory due to allegations of undermining Somali sovereignty by Africa’s largest air carrier.
It has been reported that Egypt proposed providing soldiers to the peacekeeping contingent of AU in the troubled Horn of Africa country.
On Wednesday, the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry declared that Somalia was colluding with foreign forces to destabilize the region while acknowledging tangible progress made via Turkish-mediated negotiations aimed at resolving their maritime dispute.
Assertions made by Ethiopia and other contributors of regional troops have not been attended to, prompting Addis Ababa’s caution that the East African region is at risk due to the new mission.
The ministry stated that Ethiopia is keeping a close eye on the situation in the region which could pose a threat to its national security, and cannot remain passive while other actors are undertaking actions to disrupt it
